Adam Machanic : Better Developerhttp://www2.sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/archive/tags/Better+Developer/default.aspxTags: Better DeveloperenCommunityServer 2.1 SP2 (Build: 61129.1)Six Months to Being a Better Dev?http://www2.sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/archive/2007/07/17/six-months-to-being-a-better-dev.aspxTue, 17 Jul 2007 23:22:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:1791Adam Machanic6http://www2.sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/comments/1791.aspxhttp://www2.sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/commentrss.aspx?PostID=1791<p>So just like poor <a href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis/archive/2007/07/18/a-better-developer-in-6-months-deal.aspx">Hugo</a>, I've been <a href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/denis_gobo/archive/2007/07/16/1746.aspx">tagged by the menacing Denis</a>, asked to describe the steps I will take to becoming a better developer over the next six months.</p><p>I gave this some thought, and decided that I won't commit to reading any more technical books--I have a huge shelf of books I've already read or am halfway through.&nbsp; And I won't commit to posting any more blog posts--I will try to post more, but no guarantees.&nbsp; And I won't study anything new or do anything at all with technology.</p><p>No, instead I'm going to go the other way entirely.&nbsp; I've buried myself far too deeply in the study of software development over the past few years, and I believe that if you're too obsessed with a single topic that you're going to end up either burned out or with tunnel vision. Luckily I think I've narrowly avoided both so far, but I don't want to risk getting there. So to become a better developer, I'm going to do the following:</p><ul><li>Start going back to the gym. I realized the other day that it's been over a year, and I've managed to pack on about 10 pounds as a result. Disgraceful.<br></li><li>Start working with music again. I have thousands of dollars of gear sitting right next to me as I type, and it has grown dusty with disuse. How sad is that?</li><li>Read one <i>non-technical</i> book a month. I haven't read a novel for over two years, because I've had my head buried in database books. I'm going to change that. I just got a copy of Freakonomics and I'm going to start there. Not fiction, but at least it's not technical.</li><li>Start homebrewing again. Another hobby of mine that I have a bunch of equipment for, and it's sitting there gathering dust. And I'll be thirsty after all of those gym visits...</li></ul><p>I hypothesize that by increasing the non-technical influences in my life I will return to development with greater vigor and more focus, and therefore will be a better developer. I'll let you know how it turns out.</p><p>No tags, I'm going to let this one die right here. But Denis, watch out. Next time something like this crosses my path you're it.<br>&nbsp;</p><img src="http://www2.sqlblog.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1791" width="1" height="1">Better DeveloperPersonal